First, there was the stage of shock. Here, you saw the article and, forgetting what happened to him at Loftus Road because you've blocked out all memories of that match, you are dumbfounded by the headline.

Second, there was the stage of worry. Here, you wondered what Redknapp could possibly do to make up for the loss of Assou-Ekotto, who has played almost every match this season at left back for Spurs.

Third, there was the stage of anger. Here, you thought to yourself, "Hey, it was getting so bad already, why not?" Half of this thought is angry sarcasm, half is trying to make yourself feel better.

Finally, there was the stage of acceptance. Here, you realized that it's not the end of the world and moved on to the rest of your life.

These were all reasonable reactions to such a story.

However, I would like to add one more stage to this process: embracing the injury.

Now, don't get me wrong; BAE is one of the most talented left backs in the game today.

His long balls are incredible and his linking play with Bale has become a staple of Spurs' tactics.

Over the past few months, though, he has started to move up the pitch a bit more.

This tendency to go forward has corresponded with his scoring a few goals, the first of which was a screamer from 35 yards and the second, a tap-in around the goal line.

Of course, BAE has never been just a defender; however, he also wasn't regularly up around the box, which he has been of late.

Now, this is not necessarily a bad thing.

Personally, I like BAE's more attacking style and would like to see him continue using it.

But it might not be the best thing for Tottenham right now.

After all, Spurs are struggling mightily and having huge amounts of trouble through injury and form with their centre-backs.

Having a left-back like Danny Rose, who will get forward if need be, but do more to help out the centre halves, has to be good for Tottenham.

Just look at the QPR match, where Rose made an incredible tackle/block in the box on Bobby Zamora (after one of the centre-backs botched it up) moments after coming on for BAE.

For attacking purposes, Rose's positioning wasn't ideal at this moment; he could have let the centre-backs deal with Zamora and been waiting to lead a break.

With the shaky play of those centre-backs though, he proved to be right where Spurs needed him.

In the long run, an injury to Assou-Ekotto is not good and not what a supporter should want to see.

However, perhaps Danny Rose, just like in that moment against Zamora, is just what Spurs need.